Bobbin clutch



Patented Nov. 10 1931 UNITED/STATES PATENT OFFICE f GEORGEH. MAGRATH, orl wnrrrmsvrnrn, MASSACHUSETTS BOBBIN CLUTCH Application filed August '26, 1930. ASerial No. 477,812.v l

This invention pertains to that vtype of spindles commonly employed in spinning and other textile operations, and relates yparticularly to an improved'bobbin clutch having eX- V'5 pansible clutching members which maintain the bobbin in position during the spinning or other operation. Y n

The objects of this invention lare to provide a bobbin clutch which `issimple and eco- 10 nomical to manufacture and assemble, which is eicient and-durable in use, and which is generally superior to bobbin clutches -now in use. Further objects ywill be apparent as attributes of the novel construction hereinafter '15 shown land described.y

For the purposes of illustration, one concrete` 'embodiment 1s shown 1n the accompanying drawings, 1n which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-section of a bobbin clutchy embodying a preferred vconstruction showing the contact segments in anexpanded relation; f Y

Fig. 2 is a view similarto Fig. 1 showing the contact segmentsin a contracted relation;

Fig. 3 is al transverse cross-section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, -withthecapfremoved; and t Y, Fig. 4 is a plan view of the spring element.

tion chosen for the purpose of illustration comprises an ordinary blade 1 yand awhirl 2 xedly mounted on the-blade by a pressed fit, the whirl 2having a hub (or shoulder) 3 and an annular flange 4 projecting laterally from its lower periphery. Anfannular neck 5 provided with a ring 6 is disposed on kthe upper surface 3 ofthe hub`3. .'The upper sur-` f face of the hub 3 may bein a horizontal plane .140 `but is preferably acclivousfrom the upper periphery of the hub 3 to the lowerperiphery of neck 5, the portion of the hub between the planes ofthe two peripheries being a frustoconical section. ,The upper surface 3a of the i' hub hereinafter will be referred to as the y shoulder surface. ,f p

' ,Mounted on the blade 1 in opposition to `the hub 3 is a case 7 `having four radial slots extending longitudinally from one vend 50 throughout the major portion thel case,

The particular embodiment of the inven-` vided withalateral grooveV 13.

A coiled spring 14 withendsconnectedis disposed in the lateral grooves 13 andencircles the skirt portions 12 of the clutching di? members. The spring being normally Linder .tension is secured. in -theposition shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and also-holdstheV clutching members 10 in a normally'operative relation. It is apparent -thateach of the clutching??? members acts as a lever fulcrumed on the ring v6.A The Ycap 15 is provided with a circular opening 16 inthe center of its horizontal surface 17, the openingl beingslightly grea"er in diameter than the external diameterof the @t5 bobbirn clutch measured from one expanded contact segment to the diametrically opposite segment in the plane of the opening. The

cap is fitted on the ange 4 of the whirl. as

shown in Figs, 1 and 2, and thus servesk notl- 80 onlyk as a housing' but also as a bobbin seat. l In assembling the parts the whirl 2 is pref- A erablv applied to the blade 1. first; theV ring 6 is then vpressedjon'the neck 5, and the case 7 is then .pressed on the blade 1 so that the235 lower ends of its fingers 8 abut the shoulder surface 3a or remain suspended just aboveiits surface. The clutching-members are. then applied with their contact segments 9 disposed in the slots between the lingers 8 hav-4 90 ing their lipped ends engaging thecase, and having their wing Vmembers 11 disposed in superjacent relation to the shoulder surface 3a.y ,The spring 14 is dropped on overv the` blade and inserted in the ygrooves13 of the skirt portions 12, andthe cap 15 is then ap.- plied in similar manner andY pressedvonrthe flange 4'.

- Due to theV slight tension normally exerted bythe spring, the skirt portions 1.2 will be um contracted in relaion to the cylindrical wall of the hub 3 and the lever action about` the fulcrum ring G will cause the contact segment to assume an expanded relation limited by their lipped ends abutting the interior of the case 7. Vhen a bobbin is applied over the blade 1 and thence over the case 7 until it rests on the horizontal surface 17 of the cap l5, the contact segments 9 will be pressed inwardly causing the skirt portions 12 to expand and increasethe tension exerted by the spring lll, whereupon the contact segments, due to the reacting resistance thus produced, will press against the bore of the bobbin; and hold it in operative position.

In the preferred construction above described', the Contact segments fit snugly in the slots between the fingers 8, and the cap 15 fits over the case and clutching member with just enough clearance between the latter members and the edge of the circular opening 16 to prevent any interference with the free movement Y of the clutching members 10. This construction prevents dirt, dust and yarn from entering to any substantial extent the interior of the case and thus affords a protection which will insure an unimpaired operation of the clutching members.

It shouldY be noted the arcuate skirt portions 12 carryingy the spring 14 are positioned around the hub to define a cylindrical skirt, and when a bobbin is applied over the case 7, the contact segments are pressed inwardly and the skirt portions 12 are expanded syinmetric-ally to define a greater circumference and thus cause a corresponding symmetrical expansion ofthe spring. The spring reacts symmetrically and evenly and causes each of the Contact segments to press firmly against the bore of the bobbin and thus holdl it securely in position.

As the expansion of the contactv segments is limited only by their lipped ends engaging the case, and as the spring exerts a reactive tension at all times and in all positions of the Contact segments, the latter will yieldingly engage and firmly hold' in position bobbins having bores varying greatly in diameter.,V

It should' be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration onlv andy that this invention includes all' modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus of the character described' comprising a blade, elongate members distributed around the blade with their long dimensions extendinglongitudinally of the blade for yieldingly holding a bebbin on the bla de, means mounted on the blade to provide a fulcrum for each member intermediateV its ends so that when one end moves toward the blade the other end moves away from the blade to hold the bobbin, and a spring' urging the first end toward the blade, each member beingbent outwardly from the blade i intermediate said fulcrum and said spring.

2. Apparatus of the character described comprising a blade, a whirl mounted on the blade and having an annular shoulder and a neck having an annular fulcrum, a case mounted on the blade and having downwardly extending, spaced fingers, bobbin clutching members having their contact segments disposed in the spaces between said fingers and their lower ends in'circumjacent relation to said shoulder and bearing on said fulcrum intermediate said ends, and resilient means retaining thev contact segments in an expanded position. 3'. Apparatus of the character described comprising aI blade, a whirl mounted on the blade, the whirl having a hub provided with a neck, a ring fitting abbut saidneck, a case mounted on the blade and having spaced fingers with ends disposed in circumj acent relation to the neck, bobbin clutching members having their contact segments disposed in the spaces between saidv fingers, the centralportion of the inner walls being pivoted about said ring: and their `lower ends disposed in Y circuinj acent relation-to the hub, and resilient means encircling the lower ends of said clutching membersand acting thereon to produce a normally relative radial contraction whereby the contact segments are expanded.

4. Apparatusr of the character described comprising ablade, a whirl mounted on the blade, the whirl having a hub with an annular fiange projecting from its lower end and a-'neck disposed on its upper surface fitting around the blade, a case mounted on the blade and having'spaced'fingers extending downwardlywith ends adjacent to the hub, a fulcrum ring, bobbin clutching members fulcrumed about said ring with their Contact segments disposed in the spaces between said fingers and having their lower portions disposed' in circumjacent relation to the'hub', a coiled spring encircling the lower 'portions of the clutching members normally retaining them in a contracted relation, and a cap fitting on the annularvfiange and envelopingf` the lower ends ofthel clutching members. r Y

5. Apparatus of the character described 'comprisingalbladd a` whirl mounted on the blade, thewhirl having a hub with an annular flange projecting from its lower end, and a neck disposed. on .its upper surface `fitting around. the blade, a fulc'rum ring on said neck, a case having a plurality of similar., symmetrically disposed,v circumferential'- ly spaced fin gersextending downwardly with endsY circumiacent tothe neck, aplurality of bobbin clutching members fulcrumed about said ring and having their contact segments y disposed in the "spaces between the fingers and having their lower portions symmetrically disposed in circumj acent relation to thev hub, said lower portions each being provided with a groove running laterally, a coil spring disposed in said rooves and encircling the lower portions o? said clutching members, said spring normally retaining the lowerk portions of the Contact members in a relatively contracted relation, and a cap fitting on the annular flange and enveloping the lower ends of the clutching members.

6. Apparatus of the character described comprising a whirl having a hub and an annular neck concentric therewith, a ring itting around the neck, a case having downwardly extending spaced fingers, bobbin clutching members fulcrumed about said ring and having their contact segment disposed in the spaces between said fingers, and

` having their lower ends extending downwardly tothe hub, and a spring engaging the lower end of said clutching member normally retaining the contact segments in an assembled and expanded relation relative to said case.

7. Apparatus of the character described comprising a blade, `a whirl mounted on the blade, the whirl having a hub provided with a neck itting around the blade and an annular flange projecting from the lower end of said hub, a ring fitting around theneck, a casemounted on the blade and having spaced fingers extending downwardly, bobbin clutching members having contact segments provided with lipped upper ends, the lower ends of the clutching members having cylindrical skirt portions .each provided with a groove running laterally, said contact segments being disposed in the spaces between said fin' gers with their lipped ends interiorly of the case, the interior lower portions of said contact segments being fulcrumed about the ring, and the skirt portions being disposed in circumjacent relation to the hub, a coiled tension spring disposed in the grooves of said skirt portions and encircling the same, saidspring normally retaining the contact segments in an expanded relation relative to the case, and a cap fitting on the annular'flange.

8. Apparatus of the character described, comprising va blade, a whirl mounted on the blade and having an upwardly extending annular projection in concentric juxtaposition to the blade, a case mounted on thev blade and having downwardly extending spaced fingers, bobbin clutching members having their contactfsegments disposed in the spaces between said fingers, resilient means disposed concentrically about the pro jection and tending to press the lower ends comprising a blade, a whirl mounted on the blade and having a neck in juxtaposed concentric relation to the blade, a case mounted on the blade and having downwardly exthe whirl and enveloping the lower parts of Y said members, Y

Signed by me at Boston, Massachusetts, this 20th day of August, 1930.

. GEORGE H. MAGRATH.

of said members inwardly, the latter rocking about fulcrum axes provided between said projection and members and below the upper end of the said projection, whereby the contact segments are urged outwardly in radial directions.

9. Apparatus of the character described,

CID

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